Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce The Big Apple, a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

28 May 1922, Salt Lake Telegram (Salt Lake City, UT), magazine sec., pg. 5, col. 7:
MUSIC WITH HIS MEALS.
The discordant music rendered by the so-called orchestra had so upset one of the diners that he called the restaurant manager and remarked:

“I note the paragraph on your menu wherein you state that the orchestra will play anything on request. Can you prove the assertion?”

“Yes,” replied the manager. “Their repertoir is very extensive. What do you wish them to play?”

“Tell ‘em to play pinochle until I have finished my meal, and I will be very grateful.”—From Everybody’s Magazine for June.

2 May 1948, Seattle (WA) Sunday Times, Pacific Parade Magazine, pg. 12, col. 4:
“Does your orchestra ever play requests?”
“Certainly. What would you like to have us play.”
“Pinochle!”

Google BooksFreedom and Union
Volumes 19-21
1964 (The Google Books date may be incorrect.—ed.)
Pg. 32:
Night club patron: “Does the orchestra play requests?”
Waiter: “Yes sir. What would you like them to play? “
Patron: “Pinochle.”